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What A Show
by Kuclo
The peak of the bodybuilding season has finally made it to Vegas. After
weeks upon weeks of companies planning for the big expo and months upon
months of the sport's best bodybuilders prepping for the Mr. O, you
could feel the excitement in the air when you arrived in Vegas. I know
I did.
From the moment I arrived at the airport on my way to Vegas, I could
immediately pick out the people that are heading to Vegas for the “O”.
I knew many of the people that were on the plane with me. The small
community of bodybuilding was all coming together in Vegas. After
suffering through ridiculously uncomfortable airplane seats, we finally
arrive in Vegas. In the airport, you see even more people you know. The
“Super Bowl” of Bodybuilding was finally here.
I was getting prepared for all the questions like, “Is there some
bodybuilding show or something going on?” That one always gets me.
People look at us like we are aliens or something. Well, we are from a
different planet… Planet Freak. The Olympia weekend in Vegas is one
place where you can carry all your food in a goofy looking cooler, a
gallon of purple water with BCAAs in it, and no one blinks an eye. I
love it.
The first day of the expo was blast. It couldn't have started off the
weekend better. The Cage, as always, was the best booth there. It's the
one that always gets the most draw. If you were to look around you
could see many companies trying to emulate the Animal “experience”.
People from all over always recognize The Cage. How could you miss it?
The fans where pumped to see what we'd be doing for The Cage in Vegas.
For me, being in The Cage was like having a family reunion. Evan “Ox”
Centopani, Vinny G, Wrath, The House, and everyone else coming back was
good times. Friday was packed
It was really cool checking out the new Agent O prototype. We all got to try it,
the prototype for Animal's newest supplement. Holy crap… Agent O got me
going feeling like I just took some pure adrenaline! Having what was
one of the best deadlift exhibitions I have ever seen was awesome to
watch. The intensity and noise of the crowd cheering made for some
insane lift with both guys achieving some person bests.
Finishing off Friday was the Mr. Olympia Prejudging that we were all
anticipating. Having Animal's own Erik “The House” Fankhouser making
his Olympia debut was a huge inspiration to see. So was seeing all his
fans in The Cage supporting him with Mohawks. Having competed with Eric
before and seeing him on the Olympia stage gave me hope that one day I
too might be competing on the Olympia stage. Erik brought his best to
stage and looked awesome. Having some of the freakiest wheels on stage
always gets the crowd in an awe factor.
Saturday started off with a buzz from the prejudging the night before.
People where talking about who they thought their favorite was and we
all where looking forward to the seminars and lifting exhibitions in
The Cage. One of my personal favorites from the weekend was watching
the mountain of a man, Nick Winters (or NickW as he's known on the
FORVM). He was throwing iron around like it was plastic. This Animal is
damn impressive. Incline benching for over 600 pounds? In The Cage?
Simply incredible.
I gave my seminar, “Down & Dirty Squatting” and afterward, had a
chance to answer all the questions from a great audience. The House and
Ox both gave their seminars–you could have charged for a standing room
only seat there were so many people in and around The Cage. Both of
them are extremely knowledgeable and enjoyable to listen to. I picked
up a few valuable tips.
From the expo it was off to the Olympia Finals. Being pretty much
exhausted from being on my feet for two straight days you forget all
about it when you walk into the sold out Orleans, seeing all the guys
on stage. Watching their routines and witnessing a very close fought
Olympia leaves for many great memories. I know I will never forget
them.
Closing out the weekend was the much anticipated Animal Barbell Club
event at Gold's gym. Muscular Development was also there shooting
several of the Olympia athletes. Having a gym packed full of Animals is
like an army taking over a country. Evan and I trained some arms and
calves. Getting the chance to train with someone you look up to is
always an eye opening experience. It's very motivating to be able to
push the same weight as someone on a level above you.
When it was time to take our group picture, we were all ready. Taking
that photo is like being a senior on a high school football team where
everyone knows each other. It's like family. The 2010 Olympia weekend
was one to be remembered and I can't wait till next year! I want to
thank Animal for sending me out and the entire Animal Crew for once
again making feel at home. These guys are the best company out there
without a doubt. Thank you, all you fans and people that support our
sport–it makes all the sacrifices and hard work worth it.
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